转染癌基因的骨髓基质干细胞体外分化特征

目的:观察转染癌基因的骨髓基质干细胞在体外分化情况,为肝细胞癌的细胞源研究提供实验依据。方法:实验于2003-05/2004-06在南方医科大学药理教研室实验室完成。①两步法获取大鼠肝细胞,梯度离心法分离大鼠骨髓基质干细胞。②单基因转染是单独将c-myc或K-ras癌基因瞬时转染大鼠骨髓基质干细胞,6孔培养板中培养,24h后荧光显微镜下观察骨髓基质干细胞转染结果。双基因转染步骤相同,只是将c-myc和K-ras癌基因同时转染大鼠骨髓基质干细胞。③c-myc癌基因转染组、K-ras癌基因转染组、双癌基因转染组常规培养,加入含体积分数为0.1胎牛血清的DMEM培养基,于37℃、体积分数为0.05的CO2孵箱培养,每24h半量更换培养液。④c-myc癌基因转染 肝细胞组、K-ras癌基因转染 肝细胞组、双癌基因转染 肝细胞组将已转染癌基因的骨髓基质干细胞,置于叠加的培养板半透膜的上方(细胞密度均为1×105个/cm2),再将肝细胞置于半透膜的下方(每孔细胞密度为3×105/cm2)进行共培养,其余步骤同常规培养。⑤通过反转录聚合酶式反应和细胞免疫组化检测骨髓基质干细胞分化情况。结果:①癌基因转染24h骨髓基质干细胞检测结果:单独转染c-myc或K-ras癌基因的细胞,其绿色荧光蛋白呈均匀一致分布;双基因转染的细胞,绿色荧光蛋白呈点片状分布。②各组骨髓基质干细胞向肿瘤细胞分化检测结果:c-myc癌基因转染组、K-ras癌基因转染组、双癌基因转染组的骨髓基质干细胞,均未向肿瘤细胞分化;c-myc癌基因转染 肝细胞组、K-ras癌基因转染 肝细胞组、双癌基因转染 肝细胞组的骨髓基质干细胞,均向肝细胞癌发展;空白对照组骨髓基质干细胞细胞均为阴性。此外,双癌基因转染 肝细胞组的骨髓基质干细胞分化增殖迅速,反转录聚合酶式反应和免疫组化检测发现,培养第7天出现甲胎蛋白表达,并迅速增加,而第7天出现的白蛋白和细胞角蛋白18表达迅速减弱,第14天消失。结论:转染癌基因的骨髓基质干细胞,在向肝细胞诱导的条件下,部分癌基因可以使干细胞分化为肝癌细胞;多癌基因转染时,更易于使干细胞分化为肝癌细胞。     

Serologic test for syphilis as a surrogate marker for human immunodeficiency virus infection among United States blood donors

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the usefulness of the serologic test for syphilis (STS) in preventing the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses, and human T- lymphotropic virus via the transfusion of seronegative, infectious window-period blood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Demographic and laboratory information on blood donations made between January 1992 and June 1994 in 18 American Red Cross regions was analyzed. It was assumed that the same proportion of HIV-positive and HIV-infectious window- period donations reacted on STS and were negative on other screening tests (hepatitis B and C viruses and human T-lymphotropic virus). This proportion multiplied by the estimated number of HIV-infectious window- period donations is the number of post-screening HIV-infectious donations removed by STS. RESULTS: Of 4,468,570 donations, 12,145 (0.27%) were STS positive and 377 (0.008%) were HIV positive. Among donations that were negative on other screening tests, STS-reactive donations were 12 times more likely to be HIV positive (odds ratio = 11.9; 95% CI = 5,26). However, of an estimated 13 infectious window- period donations, 0.2 would have been removed because of a reactive STS, at a cost of over $16 million. CONCLUSION: STS is a poor marker and a costly strategy for preventing post-screening HIV infections and other blood-borne diseases.     

Polycystic Kidney Disease Re-evaluated: A Population-based Study

A genetic register of all known cases of autosomal dominantpolycystic kidney disease occurring in South and Mid-Wales hasbeen established. In a population of 2.1 million, 209 familieswith affected members were identified, 303 of whom are currentlyalive, 70 on renal replacement therapy. An additional 551 caseswould be predicted amongst family members at 50 per cent and25 per cent risk, giving an apparent prevalence of 1:2459 inthe general population. Five possible new mutations were seenwhere adults with phenotypic autosomal dominant polycystic kidneydisease had both parents alive, age > 55 years with no cystsvisible on ultrasound. The take-on rate for renal replacementtherapy increased during 1970–79 but has apparently reacheda plateau of 4.8 cases per million population per year overthe last 8 years, despite a rapidly increasing acceptance ofuraemic patients as a whole (72/10⁶/year in 1988–89).Considerably more patients with autosomal dominant polycystickidney disease aged over 50 years were started on treatmentin 1980–89 than in 1970–79, but the survival overallimproved with time. All cases of autosomal dominant polycystickidney disease reaching end-stage renal disease are now beingtreated, but the apparent clinical prevalence of this conditionin our region is less than half the supposed gene frequency,suggesting that undiagnosed cases have a benign prognosis.     

Three simple steps during closed laparoscopic entry may minimize major injuries

Objectives  To describe three steps: (1) the initial Veress pressure (VIP-Pressure), (2) transient high-pressure pneumoperitoneum (HIP-Entry) prior to trocar/cannula insertion, and (3) visual entry with a trocarless cannula during closed laparoscopic entry, which may reduce major injuries. Design  Prospective observational cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). Setting  University-affiliated teaching hospital. Interventions  VIP-Pressure. During laparoscopic entry, the initial VIP pressure was measured and correlated against the body habitus and parity of 365 consecutive women. HIP-Entry was performed in 2,498 consecutive cases. In 100 women, the CO₂ volume, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulmonary compliance were recorded at pressures of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mmHg. Visual entry with a trocarless blunt cannula was performed in 776 women. The cannula, housing a 0° laparoscope, was rotated clockwise applying minimal downward force. Measurements and results  VIP-Pressure. Pneumoperitoneum was established after one, two or three Veress needle attempts at the umbilicus in 82.4%, 10.9%, and 4.0% of women, respectively. In seven (2.2%), pneumoperitoneum was established at the left upper quadrant (LUQ) during the fourth attempt, and in two (0.6%) entry was abandoned. Median initial Veress pressure was 4 mmHg (range 2–10 mmHg). The VIP pressure correlated positively with women’s weight (r = 0.518, p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.545, p < 0.001), and negatively with parity (r = −0.179, p < 0.001). HIP-Entry. The abdomen was insufflated to 25−30 mmHg prior to primary trocar/cannula insertion. There were no changes in cardiovascular parameters between 15 and 30 mmHg. A 21% decrease in pulmonary compliance from 15 to 30 mmHg was of no clinical significance. No injury has been experienced with the visual cannula in 776 cases. Conclusions  (1) A VIP-Pressure (<10 mmHg) indicates intraperitoneal placement of the Veress needle. (2) The use of transient HIP-Entry does not adversely affect cardiopulmonary function in healthy women. (3) Visual cannula offers an additional step towards safer entry.     

In vivo biocompatibility of the PLGA microparticles in parotid gland

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles are used in various disorders for the controlled or sustained release of drugs, with the management of salivary gland pathologies possible using this technology. There is no record of the response to such microparticles in the glandular parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes in the parotid gland when injected with a single dose of PLGA microparticles. We used 12 adult female Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were injected into their right parotid gland with sterile vehicle solution (G1, n=4), 0.5 mg PLGA microparticles (G2, n=4), and 0.75 mg PLGA microparticles (G3, n=4); the microparticles were dissolved in a sterile vehicle solution. The intercalar and striated ducts lumen, the thickness of the acini and the histology aspect in terms of the parenchyma organization, cell morphology of acini and duct system, the presence of polymeric residues, and inflammatory response were determined at 14 days post-injection. The administration of the compound in a single dose modified some of the morphometric parameters of parenchyma (intercalar duct lumen and thickness of the glandular acini) but did not induce tissue inflammatory response, despite the visible presence of polymer waste. This suggests that PLGA microparticles are biocompatible with the parotid tissue, making it possible to use intraglandular controlled drug administration.     

Cancer: A reproductive strategy of "ultra-selfish" genes?

A hypothesis is presented in which the process of "malignant transformation" which ultimately results in the rapidly dividing tumor(s)(cells) causing "cancer", is regarded as an evolved reproductive strategy of "ultra-selfish" (proto-)(onco-)genes, already present in the genome, or introduced by a virus.